Calorie Burning Calculations

Your resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the amount of energy your body burns in a neutral temperature when you aren't engaged in exercise. An analysis of studies dating back to the 1920s shows a wide variety of techniques used to calculate this individualized rate, and suggestions about which were most accurate have been published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

The most accepted calculation was MET, or Metabolic Equivalent of Task, which is used to determine the energy cost of various activities. Researchers felt using it would likely result in an overestimation of RMR by 10% for men and 15% for women. Instead, they suggest using 0.863 calories per kg of body weight per hour, starting with a slightly higher rate for men and decreasing the rate for older and overweight individuals.

True Strength Moment: The best way to watch your weight is to carefully monitor what and how much you eat while adhering to a regular exercise routine that incorporates varied approaches to strength and cardiovascular training. If you're trim and in good shape, you'll be much more likely to burn greater amounts of calories at rest.